Welding Fume Extraction
Welding fume extraction with extraction technology from KEMPER. Full range of Mobile or Fixed welding fume extraction installations.
Welding fume extraction with extraction technology from KEMPER
Welding fumes - What are they?
In metal processing, smoke and gases are created by welding, cutting and associated processes and are classed as hazardous substances according to current regulations.
Welding fumes are a health hazard and in parts may even cause cancer and cause genetic alterations. For more than 40 years, welders have been relying on the effective welding fumes extraction by KEMPER. Every extraction and filter plant by KEMPER collects the welding fumes very effectively and filters even ultra-fine dust particles safely and reliably from contaminated air.
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WB Alloys have fully qualified technicians to support LEV testing (Thorough examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation systems) P601 accreditation in accordance with BOHS.
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WB Alloys are an authorised Kemper repair centre Warranty & Terms
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Contact our team today to discuss a preventative maintenance package.
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Practice and guidance
Welding fume extraction is a crucial aspect of occupational safety in welding environments. When metals are welded, heated, or cut, they release fumes that can contain hazardous substances such as metal oxides, ozone, and volatile organic compounds.
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To mitigate these risks, welding fume extraction systems are employed. These systems typically consist of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) units, which capture and remove the fumes directly at the source of welding. Here's some information on the key components and benefits of welding fume extraction:
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https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l5.pdf
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Fume Extraction Units: These are devices specifically designed to capture welding fumes. They often include hoods, arms, or capture devices positioned close to the welding process to efficiently capture the fumes as they are generated.
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Filtration Systems: Once captured, the fumes are typically passed through a series of filters to remove particulates and contaminants. These filters may include high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, activated carbon filters, or other specialized filtration media depending on the specific contaminants being targeted.
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Ventilation Design: Effective fume extraction requires careful consideration of the ventilation design within the workspace. This may involve the strategic placement of extraction units, the configuration of airflow patterns, and the overall ventilation rate to ensure adequate capture and removal of fumes.
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Health and Safety Compliance: Compliance with occupational health and safety regulations is a key driver for implementing welding fume extraction systems. Regulatory agencies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States provide guidelines and standards for controlling exposure to welding fumes to protect worker health.
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Worker Health Benefits: Implementing effective welding fume extraction not only ensures regulatory compliance but also provides tangible benefits for worker health and well-being. By reducing exposure to hazardous fumes, employers can help prevent respiratory ailments and other health issues among their workforce, leading to improved productivity and morale.
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Types of Extraction Systems: Welding fume extraction systems can vary in complexity and scale depending on the specific requirements of the welding operation. They may range from portable units for occasional welding tasks to centralized systems for large-scale industrial applications.
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Maintenance and Monitoring: Regular maintenance and monitoring of welding fume extraction systems are essential to ensure their continued effectiveness. This includes inspecting and replacing filters as needed, cleaning extraction units, and conducting airflow measurements to verify proper performance.
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Welding fume refers to the mixture of gases and airborne particles generated during the welding process. When metals are welded, heated, or cut, the intense heat causes the metal to vaporize and produce fumes. These fumes contain various substances, including metal oxides, metallic compounds, and other by-products of the welding process.
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The composition of welding fume can vary depending on factors such as the type of metal being welded, the welding method used, the presence of coatings or contaminants on the metal surface, and the presence of additional materials such as flux or shielding gases.
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Some common constituents of welding fume include:
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Metal Oxides: These are formed when the metal reacts with oxygen in the air during the welding process. Examples include iron oxide (rust) from steel welding and aluminum oxide from aluminum welding.
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Metallic Compounds: These are compounds formed from the base metal and any additional materials used in the welding process, such as fluxes, coatings, or filler metals. For example, welding stainless steel can produce chromium compounds, which can be hazardous if inhaled.
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Other Substances: Welding fume may also contain other substances such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), depending on the specific welding conditions and materials involved.
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Exposure to welding fume poses health risks to welders and other personnel working in the vicinity of welding operations. Inhalation of welding fumes can lead to various health effects, including respiratory irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, asthma, and in some cases, more severe respiratory conditions such as metal fume fever or occupational lung diseases.
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Due to these health risks, controlling exposure to welding fume is essential in occupational settings where welding is performed regularly. This often involves implementing engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems to capture and remove fumes at the source, as well as providing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators for workers when engineering controls are not sufficient to reduce exposure to safe levels. Additionally, proper training, ventilation, and monitoring are important aspects of managing welding fume exposure to ensure a safe work environment.
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COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health,
COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, which is a set of regulations designed to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. These regulations are particularly relevant in industries where workers may come into contact with chemicals, dusts, fumes, or other substances that could pose a risk to their health.
COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, which is a set of regulations designed to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. These regulations are particularly relevant in industries where workers may come into contact with chemicals, dusts, fumes, or other substances that could pose a risk to their health.
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Welding fumes are a significant concern in many industries where welding processes are used, such as manufacturing, construction, and automotive repair. Welding fumes are created when metal is heated to its melting point and vaporizes, producing a mixture of fine particles and gases.
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK provides specific guidance on controlling exposure to welding fumes under COSHH regulations. This guidance includes measures such as:
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Assessment of Risk: Employers must assess the risks associated with welding activities in their workplace, including the types of materials being welded, the processes used, and the duration and frequency of exposure.
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Control Measures: Employers are required to implement control measures to minimize exposure to welding fumes. This may include using local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems to capture and remove fumes at the source, providing respiratory protective equipment (RPE) such as respirators for workers, and implementing engineering controls to reduce fume generation.
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Training and Information: Employers must provide adequate training and information to workers about the risks associated with welding fumes and the measures in place to control exposure. This includes instruction on the proper use of control measures and personal protective equipment (PPE).
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Monitoring and Health Surveillance: Employers may need to monitor workers' exposure to welding fumes through air sampling and conduct health surveillance to detect any adverse health effects. This helps ensure that control measures are effective in protecting workers' health.
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Substitution and Reduction: Wherever possible, employers should consider substituting less hazardous materials or processes to reduce exposure to welding fumes. This may involve using different welding techniques or materials with lower fume emissions.
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By following COSHH guidance and implementing appropriate control measures, employers can help protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to welding fumes,